Lontra canadensis

(von Schreber, 1776)

North American River Otter

Taxonomy

Subclass : Theria
Infraclass : Placentalia
Magnorder : Boreoeutheria
Superorder : Laurasiatheria
Order : Carnivora
Suborder : Caniformia
Infraorder : Arctoidea
Superfamily : Musteloidea
Family : Mustelidae
Subfamily : Lutrinae
Genus : Lontra

Species status

Living
Found in the wild
Listed in MSW3 2005

Authority citation

Schreber, J.C.D. von. 1776. pl. 126B. P. pl. 126B in Schreber, J.C.D. von. 1774-1855. Die Säugthiere in Abbildungen nach der Natur, mit Beschreibungen. Walther, Die Säugthiere in Abbildungen nach der Natur.

Authority publication link

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/31064724

Original name as described

Mustela lutra canadensis

Other common names

River Otter

Type locality

Eastern Canada.

Biogeographic realm

Nearctic

Country distribution

Canada · United States · Mexico?

Subregion distribution

USA(AL,AK,AZ,AR,CA,CO,CT,DE,DC,FL,GA,ID,IL,IN,IA,KS,KY,LA,ME,MD,MA,MI,MN,MS,MO,MT,NE,NV,NH,NJ,NM,NY,NC,ND,OH,OK,OR,PA,RI,SC,SD,TN,TX,UT,VT,VA,WA,WV,WI,WY)

IUCN Red List status

Least Concern

Species Permalink

https://www.mammaldiversity.org/taxon/1005844

Country distribution map

The map below provides a general overview. Most species inhabit only specific regions within countries. Known distribution is shown in green and predicted distribution is in yellow. Hover over the highlighted regions to see the country name.

Names and synonyms

Present and past (if available) associated names to the species. Click on a name to view its details. If the list is long, scroll down to see more.

Lutra hudsonica sonora

(Rhoads, 1898)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

sonora

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

AMNH MO-309, AMNH MS-3712

Type kind

holotype

Type specimen URI

http://portal.vertnet.org/o/amnh/mammals?id=urn-catalog-amnh-mammals-mo-309 http://portal.vertnet.org/o/amnh/mammals?id=urn-catalog-amnh-mammals-ms-3712

Authority page

431

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/30007875

Authority publication

Transactions of the American Philosophical Society

Lutra rhoadsii

(Cope, 1896)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

rhoadsii

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

ANSP 61

Type kind

holotype

Authority page

391

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/1675774

Authority publication

Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia

Lutra hudsonica pacifica

(Rhoads, 1898)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

pacifica

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

ANSP 7616 (= SNR 616)

Type kind

holotype

Authority page

429

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/30007873

Authority publication

Transactions of the American Philosophical Society

Lutra canadensis chimo

(R. M. Anderson, 1945)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

chimo

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

CMN 11059

Type kind

holotype

Authority page

59

Authority publication

Annual Report of the Provancher Society of Natural History, Québec

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Lutra periclyzomae

(D. G. Elliot, 1905)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

periclyzomae

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

FMNH:Mamm:17724

Type kind

holotype

Type specimen URI

http://portal.vertnet.org/o/fmnh/mammals?id=a11f9bf3-aa9f-4e31-80a2-c1fcefd3b92d

Authority page

80

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/2265548

Authority publication

Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington

Lutra hudsonica vaga

(Bangs, 1898)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

vaga

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

MCZ:Mamm:BANGS-5749

Type kind

holotype

Type specimen URI

https://mczbase.mcz.harvard.edu/guid/MCZ:Mamm:BANGS-5749

Authority page

224

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/56756070

Authority publication

Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Lutra degener

(Bangs, 1898)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

degener

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

MCZ:Mamm:BANGS-6965

Type kind

holotype

Type specimen URI

https://mczbase.mcz.harvard.edu/guid/MCZ:Mamm:BANGS-6965

Authority page

35

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/2263539

Authority publication

Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Lutra lataxina

(F. Cuvier, 1823)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

lataxina

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

MNHN-ZM-MO-2001-305, MNHN-ZM-MO-2001-306, MNHN-ZM-MO-2001-307, MNHN-ZM-MO-2001-308

Type kind

syntypes

Type specimen URI

http://coldb.mnhn.fr/catalognumber/mnhn/zm/mo-2001-305 http://coldb.mnhn.fr/catalognumber/mnhn/zm/mo-2001-306 http://coldb.mnhn.fr/catalognumber/mnhn/zm/mo-2001-307 http://coldb.mnhn.fr/catalognumber/mnhn/zm/mo-2001-308

Authority page

242

Authority publication

Strasbourg

Name usages

Lesson (1827:154, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/54207622) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/36839)

Lutra canadensis brevipilosus

(J. Grinnell, 1914)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

brevipilosa

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

MVZ:Mamm:20775

Type kind

holotype

Type specimen URI

https://arctos.database.museum/guid/MVZ:Mamm:20775

Authority page

306

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/29524696

Authority publication

University of California Publications in Zoology

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Lutra canadensis interior

(Swenk, 1920)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

interior

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

MVZ:Mamm:28728

Type kind

holotype

Type specimen URI

https://arctos.database.museum/guid/MVZ:Mamm:28728

Authority page

2

Authority publication

University Studies

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Lutra mira

(E. A. Goldman, 1935)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

mira

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

USNM:MAMM:127888

Type kind

holotype

Type specimen URI

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/3e9547bdf-c56d-4614-a032-d66c0dd07fef

Authority page

185

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/34563841

Authority publication

Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington

Lutra canadensis optiva

(E. A. Goldman, 1935)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

optiva

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

USNM:MAMM:137320

Type kind

holotype

Type specimen URI

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/390c35071-620f-4d75-b7ed-9845990f173f

Authority page

179

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/34563835

Authority publication

Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Lutra vancouverensis

(E. A. Goldman, 1935)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

vancouverensis

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

USNM:MAMM:137775

Type kind

holotype

Type specimen URI

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/306f282fe-e1eb-4231-a62f-97025dfb5afa

Authority page

186

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/34563842

Authority publication

Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Lutra canadensis preblei

(E. A. Goldman, 1935)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

preblei

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

USNM:MAMM:147413

Type kind

holotype

Type specimen URI

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/3aff55398-5705-426b-9272-52a6a4322aec

Authority page

178

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/34563834

Authority publication

Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Lutra canadensis texensis

(E. A. Goldman, 1935)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

texensis

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

USNM:MAMM:156849

Type kind

holotype

Type specimen URI

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/3ab42ed88-db8e-44bf-aa59-c4cc1523553b

Authority page

184

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/34563840

Authority publication

Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington

Lutra canadensis nexa

(E. A. Goldman, 1935)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

nexa

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

USNM:MAMM:210572

Type kind

holotype

Type specimen URI

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/377ff3fc4-6b17-49ac-932f-ed1c6a21f4c1

Authority page

183

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/34563839

Authority publication

Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Lutra canadensis kodiacensis

(E. A. Goldman, 1935)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

kodiacensis

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

USNM:MAMM:98142

Type kind

holotype

Type specimen URI

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/3a21848f6-fe03-4867-85b5-1bffd73f4658

Authority page

181

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/34563837

Authority publication

Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington

Lutra canadensis extera

(E. A. Goldman, 1935)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

extera

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

USNM:MAMM:A12485

Type kind

holotype

Type specimen URI

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/3141bb795-eb7a-425d-a78e-441f02e308f9

Authority page

181

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/34563837

Authority publication

Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Lutra canadensis yukonensis

(E. A. Goldman, 1935)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

yukonensis

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

USNM:MAMM:A21480

Type kind

holotype

Type specimen URI

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/33a0a2b0f-b83e-4629-b11c-e1000cfaafe4

Authority page

180

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/34563836

Authority publication

Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Lutra destructor

(Barnston, 1863)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

destructor

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

USNM:MAMM:A4445 (= USNM:MAMM:5128)

Type kind

lectotype

Type specimen URI

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/3e921bb6e-6bd7-428b-bced-a0bc88a4dd35

Authority page

152

Authority publication

Canadian Nat. Geol.

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Lutra canadensis evexa

(E. A. Goldman, 1935)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

evexa

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

USNM:MAMM:A47018

Type kind

holotype

Type specimen URI

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/3740b0bf9-26a7-414e-9f8f-2769698bf13f

Authority page

182

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/34563838

Authority publication

Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Lutra parvicuspis

(Gidley & Gazin, 1933)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

parvicuspis

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Type

USNM:V:8213

Type kind

holotype

Type specimen URI

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/37e91fed5-f79a-440e-932d-2b7b771273a0

Authority page

349

Authority publication

Journal of Mammalogy

Mustela Hudsonica

(Daudin, 1802)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

hudsonica

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

available

Authority page

164

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/42033414

Authority publication

Paris

Name usages

Daudin (1802:164, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/42033414) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/64044)

Lutra canadensis

(G. Fischer, 1814)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

canadensis

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

name_combination

Authority page

xxi

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/29130082

Authority publication

Moscow

Name usages

  1. Fischer (1814:xxi, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/29130082) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/12226)
  2. Lesson (1827:154, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/54207622) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/36839)
  3. Smith (1842:251) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67141)
  4. Lesson (1842:73) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/36812)
  5. True (1885:609, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/7306403) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/35039)
  6. Bailey (1936:301, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/25806228) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/35313)
  7. Orr (1949:46) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67164)
  8. Corbet & Hill (1980:98) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/63069)
  9. Honacki, Kinman & Koeppl (1982:258) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/63071)

Lutra laxatina

(H. R. Schinz, 1825)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

laxatina

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

incorrectsubsequentspelling

Authority page

505

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/51523922

Authority publication

Stuttgart

Lutra lataxima

(Lesson, 1842)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

lataxima

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

incorrectsubsequentspelling

Authority page

73

Authority publication

Paris

Name usages

Lesson (1842:73) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/36812)

Latax canadensis

(J. E. Gray, 1865)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

canadensis

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

name_combination

Authority page

133

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/28497064

Authority publication

Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London

Name usages

Gray (1865:133, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/28497064) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/18241)

Lutra canadensis pacifica

(V. O. Bailey, 1936)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

pacifica

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

name_combination

Authority page

301

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/25806228

Authority publication

North American Fauna

Name usages

Bailey (1936:301, https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/25806228) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/35313)

Lontra canadensis

Wozencraft, 2005

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

canadensis

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

name_combination

Authority publication

Baltimore

Name usages

  1. Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)
  2. Wilson & Mittermeier (2009:641) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67177)
  3. Mammal Diversity Database (2018:ID #12302) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67336)
  4. Mammal Diversity Database (2019:ID #12302) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67337)
  5. de Ferran, Vieira Figueiró, Silveira Trinca, Hernández-Romero, Lorenzana, Gutiérrez-Rodríguez, Koepfli & Eizirik (2024:538) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67326)
  6. Mammal Diversity Database (2024, https://www.mammaldiversity.org/taxon/1005844) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67250)
  7. Schmidly, Bradley, Yancey & Bradley (2024:25) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67259)
  8. International Union for the Conservation of Nature (2024, https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/12302/164577078) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67246)

Lontra canadensis canadensis

Wozencraft, 2005

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

canadensis

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

name_combination

Authority publication

Baltimore

Name usages

  1. Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)
  2. Wilson & Mittermeier (2009:641) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67177)

Lontra canadensis kodiacensis

Wozencraft, 2005

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

kodiacensis

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

name_combination

Authority publication

Baltimore

Name usages

  1. Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)
  2. Wilson & Mittermeier (2009:641) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67177)

Lontra canadensis lataxina

Wozencraft, 2005

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

lataxina

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

name_combination

Authority publication

Baltimore

Name usages

  1. Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)
  2. Wilson & Mittermeier (2009:641) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67177)

Lontra canadensis mira

Wozencraft, 2005

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

mira

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

name_combination

Authority publication

Baltimore

Name usages

  1. Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)
  2. Wilson & Mittermeier (2009:641) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67177)

Lontra canadensis pacifica

Wozencraft, 2005

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

pacifica

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

name_combination

Authority publication

Baltimore

Name usages

  1. Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)
  2. Wilson & Mittermeier (2009:641) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67177)

Lontra canadensis periclyzomae

Wozencraft, 2005

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

periclyzomae

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

name_combination

Authority publication

Baltimore

Name usages

  1. Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)
  2. Wilson & Mittermeier (2009:641) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67177)

Lontra canadensis sonora

Wozencraft, 2005

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

sonora

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

name_combination

Authority publication

Baltimore

Name usages

  1. Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)
  2. Wilson & Mittermeier (2009:641) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/67177)

Mustela lutra canadensis

(von Schreber, 1776)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

canadensis

Validity status

species

Nomenclatural status

preoccupied

Authority page

pl. 126B

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/31064724

Authority publication

Die Säugthiere in Abbildungen nach der Natur

Lutra hudsonica

(Desmarest, 1803)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

hudsonica

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

preoccupied

Authority page

384

Authority publication

Nouveau Dictionnaire d'Histoire Naturelle

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Lutrix Americana

(Rafinesque, 1817)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

americana

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

nomen_nudum

Authority page

437

Authority publication

American Monthly Magazine and Critical Review

Lataxina mollis

(J. E. Gray, 1843)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

mollis

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

nomen_nudum

Authority page

70

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/53729697

Authority publication

British Museum Catalogue

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Lutra Americana

(Wyman, 1848)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

americana

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

nomen_nudum

Authority page

249

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/9490933

Authority publication

Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Lutra californica

(S. F. Baird, 1857)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

californica

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

misidentification

Authority page

187

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/58487739

Authority publication

Washington

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Lutra rhoadsi

(Schlosser, 1899)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

rhoadsi

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

incorrectsubsequentspelling

Authority page

362

Authority publication

Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Paläontologie

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

atterima

(D. G. Elliot, 1901)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

atterima

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

misidentification

Authority page

353

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/6714698

Authority publication

Field Columbian Museum, Zoölogical Series

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

paranensis

(D. G. Elliot, 1901)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

paranensis

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

misidentification

Authority page

353

Authority page URI

https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/6714698

Authority publication

Field Columbian Museum, Zoölogical Series

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

Lutra parviceps

(E. R. Hall, 1981)

Family

Mustelidae

Root name

parviceps

Validity status

synonym

Nomenclatural status

incorrectsubsequentspelling

Authority page

1030

Authority publication

New York

Name usages

Wozencraft (2005) (information at https://hesperomys.com/a/8533)

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